Machine for shaping and renovating hats



p 1931; J. H. JOHNSON 1,822,971

MACHINE FOR SHA EING AND RENOVATING HATS Filed June 15; 1924 4 Sheets-Sheer 1 371 0931 vfivhes la. Jbzzson,

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Sept. 15, 1931. J. HfjoHNsoN 1,322,971

MACHINE FOR SHAPING AND RENOVATING HATS Filed June 13, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 F m Q i i QNN m H mm film N ww IQ Q m w a V I mw *mw s g T R A lw IIL x u m% I N. Am M 7 w Aw m I m @w R Q g M W o a c WP! mw m 5 m f m mN Sept! 15, 1931. JOHNSON 1,822,971

' MACHINE FOR SHAPING AND RENOVATING HATS Filed Juhe 13, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'Sept. 15, 1931 J. H. JOHNSON -1,s22,971

MACHINE FOR SHAPING AND RENOVATING HATS Filed June 15, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gme'ntoz Jcz'lnesl lie/(sol;

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Patented Sept. 15, 1931 FFIQE PATENT JAMES H. JOHNSON, F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR- TO UNITED STATES HOFF- MAN MACHINERY CORIORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE MACHINE FOR snarilve AND RENOVA'IING HATS Application filed June 13, 1924, Serial No. 719,857,51id iu Great Britain December s, 1923.

This invention pertains to hat shaping and hat renovating machines.

The structure as hereinafter set forthis applicable for factory use and likewise for use in the renovation of hats, both fabric and straw.

One embodiment of the invention is illu trated in the. annexed drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 an end elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 a transverse vertical sectional elevation; a

Fig. 4 a top plan view;

Fig. 5 a detail sectional view illustrating the interior construction of the steam ejecting pressing head; and Figure 6 a detailed sectional viewillustrating the pressing head in cooperative relation with aflange employed to support the hat.

Stated in generic terms, the machine may be said to comprise a rim steaming and pressing mechanism and one or more heated steaming blocks of different sizes and shapes upon which the body of the hat may be mounted and treated, this being peferably done prior to the treatment and shaping of the brim. Preferably, though not necessarily, the block stands and pressing mechanism are placed in close relation, this to facilitate ease of manipulation and to cut down piping.

The rim steaming and pressing mechanism will be first described. r I

A suitable stand, preferably formed of metal, is provided, the side frames 1 and 2 whereof are connected at their forward portions by a cross brace 3. A brace 4 (Figs; 2 and 3) is connected to the forward brace 3, said brace 4 extending downwardly and rearwardly and being connected-to the side frames 1 and 2 at such rear portions.

Mounted upon the side frames is a table 5'. Said side frames extendfupwardly' and inwardly in the form of arms 6 and 7 and form the support for the lever to which the steam ejecting pressing head is attached. Saidlev nection 23 coaxial with the shaft 9.

er is substantially Y-shaped in form (see Fig. 4) and is denoted by 8. A shaft 9 passes through hubs 10 formed upon the sides of the lever 8, said shaft being secured in the upper ends of the arms 6 and 7. To the rear end of the lever 8 there is secured a pair of bars forming in effect a link 11, the lower end of said bars being pivot-ally connected to the rear'endof a foot lever 12, fulcrumed at 13, upon a downward extensionla formed as an integral portion of the brace 41.

The lever12 extends forwardly and passes through a guideway or slot 15 (Fig. 1) formed in the lower downwardly extending portion of the front brace 3. The lever at its forward end is provided with a foot piece 16. A suitable guide 12 carrying a bumper 12 is provided for the lever 12 at the rear of the frame. (See Fig. 3).

A spring 17 isconnected to the rear portionv of the lever 8 and to a fixed bracket or similar-element '18 secured to the frame, said spring serving to draw the rear end of the lever 8 downwardly and to thus hold the pressing head, which is attached to the lever 8, in its elevated position. 7

The pressing head which is denoted gen erally by 19 is preferably formed from non corrosive metal, is accurate in outline, and is provided withvertically and horizontally disposed faces which'merge into one another, said faces being perforated to permit the ejection of steamtherefrom.

Referring-more specifically to Figs. 1, 3 and 5,-the pressing head is provided with two chambers 20 and-21, the former being in direct communicationwith a sourceof steam under p-re'ssure, which is led thereto through a pipe 22 (F 1), which has a swivel con- Steam passes to said connection from a pipe 24 which is in communication withany suitable source (of supply. A second pipe 25 opens 1 intothe chamber 20, said. pipe in turn being connected with'theswivel 26,likewisecoaxial with the shaft 9, and a drain pipe 27 extends therefrom. Thus, so long as the valves in the pipes are open, steam will be supplied to the head and maintain the same in a heated condition.

Chamber 21 is cut off from communication with chamber 20 by a valve 28 (Fig. 5) which is normally closed and which may be opened, when desired, by the depression of the valve handle 29. Upon the unseating of the valve, steam will flow from the upper portion of the chamber 20 past the valve, and into the chamber 21, thence through openings formed in the horizontally disposed pressing face 30,

and likewise through openings formed in vertically disposed face 31.

These faces, as will be best seen upon reference to Fig. 5, merge into each other upon a curve. The pressing head is semi-ellipticalin outline, that is to say, it is preferably longor than it is wide, and its forward portion is defined by an imperforate vertical wall 32.

Mounted upon the table 5, below the head 19, is a suitable support for the reception of the desired stand and flange, or straw flange, commonly employed in the hand treatment or manufacture of hats or bats, the support in this instance preferably taking the form of a turn-table 33. It will be understood, however, that a stationary support may be employed, though the presence of the turn-table facilitates the manipulation of the hat with reference to the steaming and pressing head. Located to one side of the table 5 is a second stand 34, upon thetable of which is mounted one or more steam heated supporting stands upon which in turn are mounted the head steaming and shaping blocks. These stands may be of any preferred form and may be said to comprise a hollow metallic head or dome shaped chamber 36 into which steam is introduced through a pipe 37 extending from a steam supply main 38, the upper end of said pipe 37 preferably opening into the chamber at a point'about the bottom of the chamber so that no water of condensationwill collect about the mouth of said pipeand be forced outwardlyfrom the chamber with the steam when the valve is opened.

A drain return pipe 39 extends'from th lower portion of the chamber and is connected into the return main 40 so that a flow of steam is constantly passing through the chamber and keeos the walls thereof aheated condition. The valve controlling the How of steam is normally closed and is designed when open to permit steam to pass from the stand into the space between the outer walls thereof and the superposed hat block or shape 47. Such block is preferably formed of aluminum or other non-corrosive material, is hollow, and is of the size when seated upon a flangeas 50, Fig. 1, to stand away from the walls of the chamber 36' thus allowing the steam, which passes from the chamber when the valve is open, to pass into the space between the block and the stand. Said block, as will be noted, is provided with a series of perforations 48 throughout its ma jor portion, and at its lower portion its outer surface is nurled as at 49.

The stands are designed to take blocks of different sizes and shapes, it being understood that a block of the proper size and configuration will be employed in connection with any particular hat. Upon referring to Figure 1, the block 47 shown at the left is designed to take the felt body or crown, while the block to the right end denoted by 54 is designed more particularly for straw hats.

Several block stands are shown in the drawings, and it is to be understood that a greater number of stands may be employed. Additional tables for supporting the stands may be arranged to either side of the press frame or parallel thereto, as may be desired. The support 34 for the table 35 will preferably be provided with a series of shelves as 51 and 52 upon which the diiferent sized and shaped blocks, flange stand, and flanges, may be placed.

A brim contouring board as 53 (Figs. 1 and a) may be placed upon the tables.

In operation, and assuming a straw hat is to be renovated, the operator will take a block such, for instance, as is shown at 54 (Fig. 1) and place the same upon one of the steam heated supports. A hat will then be drawn down over the block and may be fastened by a cord which is drawn tightly about the hat adjacent the brim, drawing the lower portion of the hat into contact with the nurled portion 49 of the block. Steam is then admitted to the block, passing out through the openings therein and into con tact with the hat, softening the same.

The nurled portion prevents the hat from being blown off'of the block if the hat makes a loose fit there-with. It only takes a small amount of steam and consequently a short perind of time within which tosoften the hat after which the steam is cut off and the hat may be'smoothed down upon the block and left to dry in proper shape. When dry, it is re moved and placed'i n a flange of proper form l of flange may be employed according to the type of hat being operated upon. The flange with the hat positioned therein is then placed uponthe-tahl'e 33 and the head 19 brought I k down into" contact with that portion of the brim which underlies the head, it being un derstood that block of proper sizeand cont'o'ur, or the OIClll'IZLlY' QXPEIIISlblQ'lJlOCk may havebeen placed in the hat to maintain the shape of the crown. When the head 19 is lowered in contact with the brim, valve 29 is manipulated and steam is allowed to pass outwardly from the chamber 21 into direct contact with the brim. This softens the brim and the hat is turned in the stand so as to expose the entire brim to this steaming action. The brim may then be pressed by merely forcing the head 19 downwardly into contact therewith, it being kept in mind that the head 19 is at all times hot. The hat will be turned in the stand and subjected to successive pressings until the entire brim has been pressed. When a continuous brim flange is employed the hat need not be moved with reference to the flange, it being necessary only to move the turn-table to subject successive portions of the brim to the action of the pressing head.

If the brim is a curved one, the flange may be forced backwardly with reference to the head 19, and the curved wall, which connects the horizontal wall 30 with the vertical wall 31, will curve the brim.

If the brim is fiat, it will of course be brought only in contact with the horizontal face 30.

In the treatment of felt hats, the same general operation is effected. The hat is first placed upon a block of suitable size and contour, being drawn down tightly thereover and held in place by the usual retaining cord. Steam is then applied to the interior of the hat in the manner above specified and the hat is thereafter allowed to dry. It may be lured while still upon the block, and if soiled may be readily cleansed by the employment of a suitable cleansing agent such as benzol, gasoline or the like. This same operation may be carried out upon bats.

After the crown is thus shaped, the hat is removed from the block and placed in a flange having the desired contour which is to be given to the brim. The flange is then placed upon the usual stand, and the whole placed upon the turntable or support 33, when the brim may be subjected to the steaming and pressing action similar to that above described in connection with the straw hat.

No claim is made herein to the specific arrangement of the dome shaped steaming chamber and the specific form of hat block herein shown and described and adapted to cooperate with said chamber as that forms subject matter of an invention other than mine. This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 573,934, filed on or about July 10, 1922.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A pressing member for hat machines comprising a head having two chambers, said head having an overhanging horizontal face and a vertical face extending downwardly from the horizontal face, said faces having perforations therein communicating with one chamber combined with a valve controlling the passage of steam from one chamber to the other.

2. In a hat renovating machine, the combination of a suitable table; a hat-supporting block resting thereon, and adapted to receive a hat to be treated; a member located above the block and table and adapted to be swung toward and from the block; a metallic body secured toand movable with the member aforesaid, said body being arcuate in outline and provided with two chambers, the pressing face of the outer chamber being perforated; means for supplying steam to one of said chambers to maintain the body in a constantly heated condition; and means under the control of the operator for admitting steam from the chamber just mentioned to the second chamber having the perforated face, when it is desired to eject steam against the hat undergoing treatment.

3. In a machine for treating hats, the combination of a supporting frame; a turntable mounted thereon adapted to support a hat block; a pressing member mounted above said table and-movable toward and from the same, said member being arcuate in outline and provided with perforations in its pressing face; and means under the control of the operator for ejecting steam through such perforations.

4. In a machine for treating hats, the combination of a supporting frame; a turntable mounted thereon adapted to support a hat block; a pressing member mounted above said table and movable toward and from the same, said member being arcuate in outline and provided with perforations in its pressing face; means under the control of the operator for ejecting steam through such perforations; and means for heating said pressing element.

5. In a machine for treating hats, the com bination of a suitable support; a turntable mounted thereon and adapted to receive and support a hat block; a lever pivotally mounted on the frame; a head carried by said lever, said head being arcuate in outline and provided on its underside with a horizontally disposed face and a vertically disposed face, said faces being perforated and opening into a chamber formed in the head; means for introducing steam under pressure into a second chamber formed in the head; and a valve under the control of the operator for admitting steam from said last named chamber to the first chamber so that it may pass through the perforations formed in the pressing faces.

6. In a hat renovating machine, the combination of a suitable table; a hat-supporting block resting thereon, and adapted to receive a hat to be treated; a member located above the block and table and adapted to be moved toward and from the block; a metallic body secured to and movable with the 'Ihembi' 'afof'slid and providefl with a pr'esing face, said body being ai duziue iii ofltlirie and pr'ovided with t'w Ciifi'nibrs, th pi'essing face of the' outer Ch'ziihbef being piforated; means for supplying steam to dn bf said Chambers t0 maiiitziih th bbd'y in a cbii- Stahtly heated cbnditibn; and ine'ziil iiild'r the cont'rol of the operatoi for alfiiittifig steam from the cha'rhfbi jflst Iiientibfie'd the second Chamber h'avi'rig' th'e perftifzi-td face; when it is desired to ejct steztth lg'ziin'st the hat iinde'f'going treatment. v v

In testimony ivhere'cif I hfire signed my name to this specificaiiion'.

JAMES H. JOHNSON. 

